Department of Polish Language and Literature, Institute of Slavic Philology, Ankara University

Teaching activities began that same academic year. Experts from the University of Warsaw, Dr. Andrzej Zieniewicz and Dr. Ewa Pietrzyk-Zieniewicz, joined the faculty and taught until the 1991/1992 academic year. The first students completed four-year bachelor's degrees, following a curriculum similar to that of the Department of Russian Language and Literature.

In the 1989/1990 academic year, the department was strengthened by additional specialists from Poland, Dr. Ewa Zielińska and Andrzej Robert Zieliński, who co-founded the faculty until the 2004/2005 academic year. During this period, the department graduated its first graduates and initiated a master's program, which trained future academic staff.

From its inception until 2014, the department operated within the Department of Western Languages ​​and Literatures. On May 13, 2014, with the establishment of the Department of Slavic Languages ​​and Literatures, it was incorporated into the Department. At the same time, by decision of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), the name change to "Polish Language and Culture" was approved. The department operated under this name until March 11, 2020, when – as part of the unification of the names of academic units in Turkey – the current name "Polish Language and Literature" was adopted.

In the 2018/2019 academic year, a preparatory year was introduced, extending the duration of the bachelor's degree program to five years. The current program assumes that the first preparatory year and the first year of studies are primarily devoted to improving language skills (grammar and conversation), while subsequent years are dominated by courses in literature, history, and translation practice. The program is supplemented by courses on topics such as: Polish proverbs and idioms, the history of cinema and the theater of the absurd, art, and the grammar of South Slavic languages ​​(Macedonian and Serbian), as well as Balkan literatures.

Students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies in Poland – both as part of the Erasmus program (minimum one semester) and during intensive, month-long summer courses organized by, among others, the National Academy of Sciences (NAWA).

The Department of Polish Language and Literature consistently pursues its mission of educating future generations of specialists who will contribute to the development of cultural, scientific, and diplomatic relations between Poland and Turkey. Approximately thirty students begin their studies each year.

Since 2019, the department has been headed by Prof. Dr. Seda Köycü.